Vancouver's West Side, among tree-lined streets

Briar Block is poised to be a distinctive new residential development on Vancouver’s West Side, thoughtfully designed by local architect Taizo Yamamoto with interiors by renowned interior designer Kelly Deck. The development project promises to blend elegance with individuality across its diverse housing options including townhomes, condos, and rental residences – all situated in the timeless Douglas Park neighbourhood with its tree-lined streets.

Wallop Film took on this creative partnership with the goal of capturing the unique atmosphere of the Douglas Park community, Briar Block’s goals for how to fit in with that, and the ethos of the interior design elements that will set this project apart. Our production team made it their job to understand the neighbourhood, and how this exceptional project brings both Yamamoto’s architectural vision and Deck’s interior design to life – allowing viewers to understand the lifestyle opportunities that make Briar Block such a remarkable addition to Vancouver’s residential landscape.

The Challenge

Capturing Briar Block’s story presented unique challenges for our production team, particularly in balancing the intimate details of the Douglas Park neighbourhood with the vision of Kelly Deck’s interior design. Working with Kelly proved to be both inspiring and invaluable, as her personal history and connection to Douglas Park allowed us to craft a genuine narrative. Her intimate knowledge of neighbourhood haunts, seasonal rhythms, and community gathering spaces guided our shooting schedule and locations, bringing another level of storytelling depth. It was a huge challenge for our team to show how her design choices echoed imagery and colour palettes inspired by the area’s seasons.

Working within Vancouver’s unpredictable weather required detailed pre-pro planning and flexibility, as we scheduled shoots during optimal lighting conditions to showcase the development’s emphasis on natural light and an outdoors lifestyle. Our greatest challenge and proudest achievement was portraying not just the natural elements but the vibrant community surrounding Briar Block. From scenic parks to school catchment areas and cosmopolitan streets, we left no stone unturned to tell this neighbourhood story.

The Results

To overcome Briar Block’s production challenges, our team implemented solutions that transformed constraints into creative opportunities. We developed a flexible shooting schedule with weather contingencies, ensuring we were filming in exactly the right conditions. We conducted extensive pre-production research and permitting, creating detailed shot lists while also leaving enough room to follow inspiration on the day.
We organized guided location scouts where we identified meaningful community touch-points, ensuring authentic storytelling. Perhaps most importantly, we utilized a branded documentary-style approach when filming Kelly, allowing her natural enthusiasm and personal connections to shine through unscripted moments, creating an emotional resonance that traditional marketing videos often lack.

Director

Matt Lawrence Dix

Producer

Matt Lawrence Dix

Cinematographer

Peter Lee

B-Cam

Shiun Okada

Key Grip

Robert Zastre

Sound Recordist

Adam Johnson

Editor

Nathan Young

Renderings

Common Ground

Creative Direction, Production, Post Production